"Girls just want to have fun" --Ned.

And guys too apparently...

We had such a fantastic weekend vacation with absolutely wonderful people.

Thanks Muller-Turnbull families!

                         I already miss the water and beautiful views.

Evans and I got our "boat fix" and probably ate enough delicious food to feed an army!

oh, and countless rounds of Balderdash :)

Cannot wait to return sometime soon! Welcome welcome hot summer.

hi!

Rhombus comes today! = Me in library.

Have a great Thursday and good weekend!!!

I'm allowed to do this every once in a while.

Dear Van,

Usually your daddy and I are very good about letting you have a little bitty cry-time before you soothe yourself to sleep. However, you have been such a dumpling lately (laughing in the swing set, giggling at the kids in the pool, grinning ear to ear when you hear your daddy or see Sophie) that I just couldn't stand hearing your boo-hoos this evening.  I peeped in your room and you were snuggling muddy and fussing with your fingers in your mouth.  I picked you up and you smiled ear to ear. I melted. I rocked you for just a few minutes and you fell fast asleep. Your head was nestled in the crook of my arm, and your teeny palm was resting on my heart beat.  While admiring your precious profile, I realized how quickly you are changing. I know soon you'll be a fiesty toddler, then a wild little boy. . . but before I could go much further, I grabbed you tightly and thought 'this is by far the best feeling in the world.' I never want to forget that feeling. I don't want to imagine the day rocking you to sleep is no longer an option. I want to link this story so you'll remember how I will justify crawling into your bedroom when I'm 90 to rock you to sleep.

I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be.

I love you!
Mommy

Honky Tonk Women

Has been stuck in my head all weekend! Just the first part of Mick Jagger singing "hawwwwawww...".

                                       It replays over and over.

Van had some good time with Granny Rhombus while his own mommy got her thesis outline completed and skim-read a book!  (1of 4) He also came down with an endearing case of the giggles... really too much cuteness for one little guy. If he isn't careful I might eat him to pieces.


Van enjoyed his first "Friday on the Front Porch" at the Carolina Inn in beloved Chapel Hill. Sleepy head  loved on his Aunt Trudy:

And played with his cool daddy:

Lots of pool time--and... inspired by our recent art museum trips, he made HAND PRINTS!

(on daddy, mostly. . .)

We are excited about our trip to Irvington, VA this weekend to visit with Van's Godparents, Sarah & Ned, and Sarah's parents! Evans and I have been craving some time near the water and I know this vacation will be so fun and relaxing.

Mother & Mother-In-Law to the Rescue!

Thank you for this blessed life!

And...shrimp & grits for dinner! Happy Friday

Reality Check

Dr. Prioli {thesis advisor}: Well, Em...its time to get some dates down on paper...

Me: Sure is! Cannot believe how quickly summer snuck up on me.  What were you thinking? (deep breaths...August 4th is still far far far away in mommy land...)

Dr. Prioli: Let's see...(my heart races as he flips slowly through his planner) How about you have a 50-page draft to me by June 30th?

Me: (Completely freaking out but trying to practice that "I'm cool and chill on the surface even though completely overwhelmed underneath" skill I have learned from being a mom) Sure! Sounds great...will definitely have something to you by then.

Want to see what I've got so far? You are looking at it. Goose egg. Need motivation. Quickly. Thanks!

Memorial Day

Thank you everyone from our families and friends who have served and helped keep our country what it is today. Our weekend was a really fun stay-cation. I underestimated how nice it would be to get plenty of sleep, sun time, and relaxation. I also got to catch up on a few projects. (Not including thesis).

              Finally sewed curtain panels for the dining room and kitchen:

Made grand debut at the rennovated NC Museum of Art screaming expletives as the 20-foot metal door almost chopped off pinky toe while pushing stroller inside. . .

Some good pool time:

Pulling on Uncle Nick's beard...

Van is at a really fun age. Every time I get him out of the crib he is doing something new...whether its crazy dinosaur yells or sneakily pulling on my coffee mug handle to get a sip.  He sits up very well and belly-crawls more efficiently.  He also likes to chew on my camera cord when I am taking pictures...

We ended our wonderful weekend holiday with blue cheese burgers, kale, fried okra, and baked beans. Yum! Tonight I am going to see SATC II!! So excited. Hope you had a good weekend too!